April 1, 2008 - In the town of Hagenbrunn, Austria, an outdoor artwork a kilometre long is open, 24 hours a day, for people to visit. Its purpose is to encourage them to reflect on their way in life.
At no charge, visitors can walk through the monument, which, through seven artworks by sculptors from different countries, illustrates the stages in a person’s life: birth, childhood, youth, love, the family, old age and finally death.
Yesterday the founders of this portrait of life, the My Way Foundation, honoured Nelson Mandela with the My Way Award, an annual prize given to individuals who have inspired the foundation with their contributions to the welfare of society.
Irene Menell recieves the prize on Mr Mandela’s behalf, from My Way Foundation chairman Ernst Fischer.
(Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation)The My Way Foundation was formed in 1999 by Austrian education specialist Erich Bruckberger and the current chairman of the managing board, Ernst Fischer. The purpose of the open-air monument is to invite people to contemplate the beauty and meaning of the progression of life.
Irene Menell, a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, accepted the award on Mr Mandela’s behalf at Mandela House in Houghton, Johannesburg.
Presenting the award, Fischer said: “With the My Way prize, the My Way Foundation honours the unique commitment of Mr Nelson Mandela towards justice, peace, democracy and human rights. His life-long struggle has made him one of the most important champions against oppression in the world. His immense personal dedication is an example to people everywhere.”
The My Way prize for 2006/2007.
The May Way Foundation supports needy people and artistic, cultural and scientific activities through funding. The foundation also regularly publishes literature which, according to its website, helps people find “a meaningful path through life”.
The My Way Award has previously been received by Christiaan Barnard, Lech Walesa, Pope John Paul II, Brigitte Bardot and Queen Rania of Jordan.
“The purpose of the My Way prize,” said Fischer, “like the purpose of the My Way monument, is to move people towards a more acute social consciousness, and towards following the lead of their own initiatives.”